From The Principal
For those of us who work in the Middle School, we feel have the best of all worlds. It is exciting to see our students beginning to develop into confident, intellectual young adults and doing so with the vibrancy and enthusiasm that they possess at this age. The Middle School strives to provide a learning environment which both challenges and nurtures our students during early adolescence.
Within our small, cohesive community, our knowledgeable and experienced faculty teaches our students the content and skills necessary for later academic success while encouraging them to ask questions, seek creative solutions, and take risks as a part of learning. Individuals make this leap at different rates, and our students benefit from small class sizes and varied instructional techniques.
The Middle School curriculum is founded on traditional instruction in subjects like English grammar, Latin, French, Mathematics and the arts.
Certainly one of the hallmarks of a Briarcrest education is the emphasis on effective spoken and written communication—and to be sure, this happens across the curriculum. This past year, we introduced a specialized writing curriculum in the middle school to expand our educational offering in the area of written communications.
The Middle School also places emphasis on the moral development of each student by providing opportunities to develop personal integrity, leadership skills, and a desire to serve the community. The BCS Honor Code takes on increasing significance as our students move through their Middle School years and appreciate what it means to live with integrity.
It is so important that Middle School boys and girls explore extracurricular activities. Briarcrest Middle School students can participate in a variety of competitive athletics in grades 6-8. Whether they are on the football team, participate in the Middle School play or on the girls' volleyball team, we have something for every student to participate in during every season of the year.
Every day in the Middle School is exciting and full of new challenges. With each 8th grade class that moves on to High School comes the entry of another group of rising 6th graders and new opportunities to positively affect young lives for Christ."
Middle School Principal
Middle School Academics
During the early adolescent years, our qualified and committed teachers guide students through this changing period in life with challenging academic instruction combined with the development of critical thinking skills. Core subjects include language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and Bible. Most core subjects are offered at a regular and honors level. We also offer studio art, music, foreign languages (French and Latin), and physical education.
Middle Schools students establish rewarding friendships so important to self-esteem during several outings throughout the school year. Making new friends is easy during the grade-level retreats held at the beginning of the school year. In the spring, each grade sponsors an educational trip which reinforces study about our city, state, and national governments and our nation's Christian heritage.
Middle School students experience chapel services weekly, where they lead and participate in worship, as well as hear some of the Memphis area's finest Christian speakers and youth pastors.